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The spot to land before the lights go down or unwind once they come back up. Grab a seat, order something strong, and dissect that final scene with fellow festival-goers who get it.

This year, Hawthorn Lounge is also hosting our local and international guests throughout the festival, so keep an eye out — you never know which director, actor or programmer might be perched at the next table.

And here's the bonus: NZIFF subscribers who present their ticket stub at the bar get 10% off their bill, so there's even more reason to make Hawthorn Lounge your festival home base.

Hawthorn Lounge

• 82 Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

This year we’re trying something a little different… Auckland and Wellington audiences will be treated to a secret screening presented in association with our friends at Letterboxd. We’ll also be hosting a Letterboxd meet-up at the Civic before the Auckland screening, your opportunity to meet likeminded Letterboxd die-hards!

Your clues for the film 👀
* This film will NOT be playing elsewhere in the festival.
* It was released in 2026.
* And it played at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

We’ll leave you to figure out the rest! Secret screenings are on in Auckland on 8 August and Wellington on 15 August - details and tickets below:

Surprise Film

Saturday 8 August 8.30pm, The Civic

Saturday 15th August, 8.45pm, Embassy Theatre

Letterboxd Meet-up

Saturday 8 August 7.45pm, The Civic

Online multipass redemption is back in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Ahead of our online pre-sale, we've made a quick guide to help walk you through the process.

This year, NZIFF is rolling out the red carpet for the people behind the films. From intimate Q&As to captivating opening night intros, our live events across Aotearoa will bring filmmakers out from behind the camera and into the spotlight. You'll get the chance to see, hear from, and connect with an incredible line-up of local and international directors and creatives - appearing in person at screenings and workshops nationwide.

Please note that guest appearances and live events may be subject to change.

International guests

Abinash Bikram Shah
Director of Elephants in the Fog

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Sunday 9 August, 3:45 p.m. at Academy Cinemas
  Christchurch – Wednesday 12 August, 5:45 p.m. at Lumière Cinemas (Bernhardt)
  Christchurch – Thursday 13 August, 10:00 a.m. at Lumière Cinemas (Bardot)
  Wellington – Friday 14 August, 6:00 p.m. at Massey University National Academy of Screen Arts Cinema
  Wellington – Saturday 15 August, 3:55 p.m. at Light House Cinema Cuba

James J. Robinson
Director of First Light

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Thursday 6 August, 1:15 p.m. at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket
  Auckland – Friday 7 August, 6:00 p.m. at Academy Cinemas

Sophie Hyde
Director of Jimpa

• Screenings:
  Auckland – Saturday 1 August 2:45 p.m. at The Civic
  Auckland – Sunday 2 August, 1:15 p.m. at Bridgeway

Continue reading…

These beauties disappear fast, but below is a list of the key spots where you’ll have the best chance of snapping up a copy.

Auckland

• SkyCity Theatre
  SkyCity Theatre, 53 Wellesley Street, Auckland Central
  
  
• Academy Cinemas
  44 Lorne Street, Auckland Central
  
  
• Rialto Cinemas Newmarket
  Rialto Cinemas Newmarket, 167/169 Broadway, Newmarket
  
  
• The Lido Cinema
  427 Manukau Road, Epsom
  
  
• The Bridgeway Cinema
  122 Queen Street, Northcote Point
  
  
• Hollywood Avondale
  20 St Georges Rd, Avondale 
  
  
• Matakana Cinemas
  2 Matakana Valley Road, Matakana 0985
  
  
• Aotea Centre Auckland Live
  50 Mayoral Drive, Auckland Central
  
  
• Auckland Central Library
  44-48 Lorne St, Auckland Central
  
  
• St Heliers Community Library
  32 St Heliers Bay Road, St Heliers
  
  
• Epsom Community Library
  195 Manukau Rd, Epsom 
  
  
• Kumeū Library
  296 Main Road, Kumeū

Matakana

• Matakana Cinemas
  2 Matakana Valley Road, Matakana 

Wellington

• Embassy Theatre
  10 Kent Terrace, Mt Victoria, Wellington 
  
  
• Massey University
  57 Wallace Street, Mt Cook
  
  
• Light House Cuba
  29 Wigan Street, Te Aro
  
  
• Light House Cinema Petone
  52 Beach Street, Petone
  
  
• Roxy Cinema
  5 Park Road, Miramar
  
  
• Unity Books
  57 Willis Street, Wellington Central

Christchurch

• Lumière Cinemas
  Christchurch Arts Centre, 26 Rolleston Ave 

Dunedin

• The Regent Theatre
  17 The Octagon, Central Dunedin
  
  
• Rialto Cinemas Dunedin
  11 Moray Place, Central Dunedin

Continue reading…